This briefing paper provides an overview of the link between trade in gum arabic and the war in Sudan. Gum arabic, or acacia gum, is a natural resin harvested from the sap of acacia trees (Senegalia senegal and Vachellia seyal).
Its water-soluble, multifunctional properties make it indispensable in a wide range of everyday products, from soft drinks and processed foods to medicines, cosmetics, chewing gum, and paints. To date, no natural or synthetic substitute matches its quality. Global production is heavily concentrated in Sub-Saharan Africa, with Sudan at the epicentre. This combination – the lack of alternatives and geographic concentration – means that many industries, including food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, continue to rely heavily on Sudanese gum arabic.
A significant quantity of Sudanese gum arabic found in European supermarkets today has passed, directly or indirectly, through areas controlled by armed militias. In particular, it shows how the trade in gum Arabic is financing the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) through looting, taxation, and control of illicit trade routes. This is the conclusion from research conducted by PAX.
